Construction aboard local bases is on schedule, according to officials.

Construction has moved ahead on the new entrance to Camp Lejeune from N.C. 24 near the Bell Fork Road intersection. With a price tag of $145 million, the project will extend seven miles onto the base and include two major bridges. Tarawa Terrace I and II as well as Camp Johnson will be connected to Camp Lejeune roads upon completion in 2015. The project used money funding from 2010, 2012 and 2013; and the off-base entrance will be owned and operated by N.C. Department of Transportation.

“The reason for the new entrance is to alleviate traffic at the front gates of Camp Lejeune, the Tarawa Terraces and Camp Johnson,” said Emily Sylvester, the deputy director of installation development. “It will keep people from having to leave base to get back onto base.”

From 2007 to 2014, more than $3.1 billion will be spent on improvements to the base. Infrastructure improvements, such as water, steam, communications, electrical and roadwork totaled 16 percent of the billions spent. Much of the money was allocated during the Grow the Force initiative to include recently completed projects such as parking decks, the Hope and Care Center at Wounded Warrior Battalion-East, the NICOE Intrepid Center and the Wallace Creek Fitness Center.

In the Wallace Creek area of the base, two battalions are being constructed to include a headquarters element, armory, supply offices, motor transportation and living quarters. The construction will be completed in January. A new headquarters for Intelligence Battalion and ANGLICO will also be built alongside parking garages and armories.

“We have all this land, but we have so many restraints because of wetlands and constraints,” Sylvester said. “That’s why we are building up rather than out.”

Aboard Camp Johnson, the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer School will receive new living quarters as well as classrooms for instruction, replacing many outdated buildings. Within the Stone Bay sector of the base, two bachelor enlisted quarters are being built in addition to the new gate that was recently opened. Both MARSOC and the Special Operations Training Group will receive new structures under current plans.

“We’re building for the Marines — providing them with updated facilities,” Sylvester said. “…We are absolutely using the money allocated properly with the Marines’ best interests in mind.”

Aboard New River Air Station construction projects such as the new access road and intersection for Camp Geiger which houses the School of Infantry, welfare facilities and a skateboard park have been completed; but some projects still remain unfinished, according to Randy Scott, the facilities and logistics director for MCAS New River.

Projects yet to be completed include a $152-million mega-hangar, parking garages, a new taxiway and apron for aircraft, additional hangars, a new personnel administration facility and more.

“All of the projects are tracking on schedule and the majority of all these projects should be completed within the next 18 months,” said Scott. “These projects will improve quality of life aboard the base and prepare and support MCAS New River’s training mission years into the future.”